Hearing on charges against Koko on Oct 31
A Dhaka court yesterday fixed October 13 for hearing on charges against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko and Saimon, son of former shipping minister Akbar Hossain for their alleged involvement in money laundering.
Judge Muzammel Hossain of the Special Judge Court-3 passed the order after Koko's lawyer submitted a petition praying for adjournment of the hearing.
The court also fixed the same date for hearing on a petition filed by Bangladesh Bank (BB) seeking its permission to bring back Tk 19.7 crore that Koko and Saimon had allegedly siphoned off to Singapore.
Deputy Governor of BB Ziaul Hasan Siddique on July 12 this year submitted the petition seeking permission to bring back the money.
Earlier, on August 4 this year, the government cancelled Koko's parole for breaching conditions and asked him to return to the country by August 31 and surrender before the court.
But the High Court on August 26 stayed the government decision and extended his parole for 40 days following a writ petition challenging the legality of the government decision.
Koko was arrested on September 2, 2007 in connection with the Gatco graft case and was later released on parole for treatment abroad while Saimon had been absconding since the case was filed.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed the case against Koko on March 17, 2009 under the Money Laundering Prevention Act.
According to the deposition of the ACC, a portion of the money deposited in Koko's bank account was from an account of China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd in the USA.
China Harbour was operating in Bangladesh during the time of the transfer of the money as it was constructing the New Mooring Container Terminal.
On November 15, 2009 the court accepted the charge sheet against Koko and Saimon.
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